The Navy has awarded a $6.4 million contract to a Colorado firm to repair and restore the Washington Navy Yard building where a gunman killed 12 people.

The contract was awarded to Englewood, Colo.-based CH2M Hill Constructors Inc. on Monday to make immediate safety repairs, assess damage and develop alternative concept designs at the Naval Sea Systems Command's historic headquarters known as building 197.

The Navy says the 650,000-square-foot building with space for more than 3,000 workers suffered ``extensive and widespread damage'' on Sept. 16 when Aaron Alexis killed 12 people before being killed in a shootout with police.

The Navy says no decision has been reached on the building's final disposition, but the contract will allow the Navy to restore the building and give official options to consider.

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